The number of state-ordered executions worldwide surged to the highest level in nearly a decade last year, with more than 1,500 people put to death by governments across 15 countries. The sharp spike in the death penalty figures was largely driven by Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, where 91% of the recorded executions took place. China is believed to execute more prisoners each year than the rest of the world combined. Amnesty International recorded 1,518 executions last year, a 32% increase from the year before. There has been a rise in executions for drug-related crimes, with this being the reason for over 40% of executions recorded.